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          Prem players thriving in new positions

          Alexis Sanchez's attacking stats have improved across the board since moving from the right side of the field. Julian Finney/Getty Images
          • Adrian Melville, ESPN Insider
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            • Joined ESPN in 2013 as a soccer Insider
            • Worked previously at NBC, Major League Soccer and Opta (UK)
            • Played college soccer at Princeton and professionally for the New England Revolution and Santo Andre, a second-division club in Brazil
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          Feb 13, 2015, 12:00 PM ET

          With 10 games left in the 2013-14 Premier League season, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini shifted his team's shape from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1, and moved David Silva from left midfield into the center. This was a bold move, considering that City was holding onto second place at the time. However, Pellegrini believed his team needed a more creative, central passing outlet to start counterattacks when opponents turned the ball over.